(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Those of you who bought Illinois Lottery tickets in the state’s last fiscal year were part of a record haul.

The lottery, managed by Allwyn North America, reports a record $3.87 billion in total sales for the twelve months ending June 30 of this year. The state held onto $804 million of that, the fourth-best net income. Almost all of that money – all but $12 million – goes to the Common School Fund for K-12 education. An Allwyn news release says the remaining $12 million “local good causes.”

Right about now is the part of the show in which someone will say the $792 million is not additional money for education; rather, that it displaces money into other pots. Furthermore, critics call the lottery a shell game which preys upon people who can least afford to gamble.

But, quoting the news release, “the Illinois Lottery also achieved the highest level of responsible gaming from the World Lottery Association. By recertifying its responsible gaming program at Level 4 — the highest possible standard — the Illinois Lottery reaffirmed its commitment to player protection and responsible gaming practices.”

More numbers: 147 players in FY 26 won jackpots of $1 million or more. One of those players, an online player, won a $536 million MegaMillions(R) jackpot. Online play in Illinois set a record: $757 million.